HOW IT WORKSAfrican Safari! is the
final project in a month-long study on the different
physical regions of Africa and its animals. The safari is
divided into three regions: Grasslands, Rainforest, and
Desert. The class breaks up into groups to study each
region’s terrain and animals. After all the research and
reports are finished, the students turn the class into a
safari for other classes to come and experience. The regions
are decorated with murals and 3-D sets that the students
make based on their studies of the physical terrain. In each
region, half of the students are in costumes, which they
have created, that look like the animal they studied, and
their partners are the safari guides who present information
about the animals to the visiting lower grades. The visitors
leave the class having experienced a safari while learning
about the terrain and animals of Africa.

THE STUDENTS
An entire class of 25 students with a wide range of academic
levels participates in the program. All work is done in the
classroom, except for the research, which is done in the
library and the computer lab or at home. Due to the
extensive research and nonfiction reading that has to be
done, this is a project that is better suited for the upper
grades. It is also better to do this with a whole class
rather than a small group in order to get the full effect of
the safari. This project covers a wide range of skills
including research, writing, art, and dramatic act. This
makes it a program where all kinds of learners can be
successful.

THE STAFF
Molly Horne is a third grade teacher who is beginning her
third year of teaching. In her first year, this program was
done only in her classroom. Last year, the entire third
grade participated. Extra hands, via parents or
paraprofessionals, can be very helpful but not completely
essential. A computer teacher or librarian can also help the
students do their research.

WHAT YOU NEED
African Safari! can be done in your very own classroom. You
will need lots of books and photographs about the terrain
and animals of Africa, along with computers with Internet
access in order for the students to do research. The program
includes lots of student-friendly Web sites that are also
helpful. Additionally, there are lots of different
worksheets and maps to help with the research as well as the
field trips to the Museum of Natural History and the Bronx
Zoo. You will need fabric for the costumes and cord stock or
oak tag for the masks. You should have the rest of the
supplies (paint, markers, a roll of brown paper, tissue
paper, etc.) in your class.

OVERALL VALUE
This program provides a product that the entire school can
enjoy and learn from. It’s about children learning, and
enjoying what they learn, so they can teach other children
and be proud of their work.